By GARY PANETTA of the Journal Star, Jul 26, 2008
Suppose you're a pretty shy person.
But somehow, you've been persuaded to try out for a new community theater gig.
So you show up to auditions. And to your horror, they like you. They like you so much that they call you back - and not just to play any role, but a role that requires the ordinarily staid and sane you to act really wild and over-the-top. So wild and over-the-top that once on stage you won't even be speaking English but a very weird, very odd variety of gibberish.
"So I'm like, you've got to be kidding me," said Elyse Vernon, 17, of Hanna City. "I don't do that kind of stuff. I'm shy. I'm reserved."
Not so much anymore. Vernon is one of dozens of young people and a few adults from towns such as Farmington and Hanna City and Bartonville who have caught the theater bug thanks to a new summer community theater venture in Glasford called Arc Light Productions, which stages shows at the Illini Bluffs High School auditorium. In the process, they have discovered their voice and a new confidence in themselves.
Read the entire article on the PJ Star website!
| GET SMART | |
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Visit our gallery for the first of a large "Get Smart" update - enjoy lots of behind the scenes photographs from in progress work to back-stage madness throughout the entire run. You'll also find images from our recent performance at the Alpah Park Library in Bartonville, Illinois. Look for a full image gallery from our three night run to be coming soon! | for
| The 2008 production will be "Get Smart" by Mel Brooks, adapted by Christopher Sergel, presented on July 17, 18, and 19 in the Illini Bluffs High School Theater and again co-directed by Jeff Driscoll and Rachel Waters. "Would you believe that seven police boats are closing in on us right now?" asks Maxwell Smart of the head of KAOS who now holds him captive. When the master criminal finds this a little hard to accept, the straight-faced Smart asks, "Would you believe six?" With that question, this bright comedy-satire put an expression into the language. Smart is off on a bizarre new case in which he must stop the sinister organization known as KAOS from their most shameful plot. Their plan this time is to prove their power by blowing up the Statue of Liberty! This is too much, and Smart springs—perhaps we should say stumbles—into action. Magnificently assisted by beautiful Agent 99, Smart proceeds from one gigantic blunder to another—each, however, somehow turning into a master stroke. A cast of 10 men and 17 women will fill the stage for this hillarious presentation of the utlimate secret agent farce. | |
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A NIGHT AT THE IMPROV |
| View Pictures from this event! | |
| New this year, Arc Light Productions presents "A Night at the Improv." Join us on June 6 at 7:30pm for a night of laughs and improvised sketch comedy in a similar vein to shows like "Whose Line is it Anyway?" and "Thank God You're Here." A select group of performers, made of up Arc Light alums and friends, will entertain for the evening based on wild situations and suggestions they've never seen before. Desserts and beverages will be offered for a free-will donation. "A Night at the Improv" serves as a fundraiser event for Arc Light Productions. |
| CONTACT ARC LIGHT PRODUCTIONS |
| Jeff Driscoll, co-founder |
| Rachel Waters, co-founder |
| Heather Vanderheydt, graphic designer |
| 2008 MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM |
| Individuals and businesses interesting in supporting Arc Light Productions are encouraged to join our membership program! Become a Member Today |
| DIRECTIONS |
| Illini Bluffs High School Theatre 212 North Saylor Street Glasford, Illinois 613533 |
| MapQuest directions can be found here. |
| Please use the main entrance (number 4) to the High School. |
| Arc Light Productions' inaugural season was held in 2007 with a production of Robin Hood. 205 audience members were in attendance on Friday, July 20, 2007, with 180 on Saturday, July 21. Click here for a selection of photos from our production. THANK YOU to all who participated and supported our production. |  |